Fluid flow control device



Feb. 11,1969 H. M. CONNEALY 3,426,789

FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1965 Sheet of 2 BY W Jrra/B/VEK:

Feb 11, 1969 H. M. CONNEALY 3,426,789

FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR. k HUGH/4 (ma 544% 56' BY ArrazA/zys United States Patent 3 Claims This invention relates to a new and useful fluid flow control device, and more particularly to a device for controlling the flow of water to a water closet flush tank.

This application is a continuation-in-part of earlier filed application Ser. No. 354,871, filed Mar. 26, 1964, now abandoned.

Float-actuated ball cocks are commonly employed to control the flow of water to water closet flush tanks. Water under pressure is admitted to a flush tank through an inlet pipe which is mounted in the tank and extends to an elevation somewhat above the water level to be maintained in the tank. The flow of incoming water to the tank is controlled by a float-actuated valve which is mounted on the upper end of the inlet tank and which automatically terminates the flow when the tank is full. It is not desirable to have the incoming water discharge directly into the tank from the top of the inlet pipe because of the noise factor in permitting the water to fall from the discharge end into the tank and because of the likelihood of water spraying out the top of the tank. Accordingly, it is common practice to place a down spout or pipe in fluid communication with the discharge end of the inlet pipe and position the outlet end of the down spout adjacent the bottom of the flush tank so that incoming water will discharge near the bottom of the tank.

While generally satisfactory, prior art devices for controlling the flow of water to water closet tanks do have certain disadvantages.

One disadvantage resides in the fact that quite a number of individual parts are required to satisfactorily control the flow of water to a flush tank while accomplishing the result of having the water discharge adjacent the bottom of the tank.

Another disadvantage resides in the fact that prior art ball cocks have a tendency to leak after extended periods of use. This necessitates replacement of certain parts which cannot be readily accomplished by the average home owner.

Another disadvantage with prior art ball cocks resides in the fact that they often require certain adjustments in order to operate satisfactorily. These adjustments cannot readily be made by the average home owner.

Another disadvantage resides in the fact that the force required to seat certain ball cocks against the pressure of the incoming water is sometimes greater than can be exerted by a float through the limited lever arm available in a water tank.

Another disadvantage with prior art ball cocks resides in the fact that when the cock is opened permitting water to flow from the outlet end of the inlet pipe to the down spout, water sprays past the down spout and escapes from the tank between its upper rim and cover.

In view of the foregoing factors and conditions characteristic of devices for controlling the flow of water to water closet flush tanks, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved water flow control device not subject to the disadvantages enumerated above and having a minimum number of parts especially designed for controlling the flow of water to a flush tank efficiently, economically and expeditiously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a 3,426,789 Patented Feb. 11, 1969 single rubber diaphragm for a ball cock valve which prevents water from spraying past the down spout in a toilet tank when the valve is opened.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a valve for controlling the flow of water into a flush tank comprising but a single part which can be installed by the average home owner.

Still another object of the present invention is to combine a water inlet pipe and a down spout for a flush tank into a single unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful valve for controlling the flow of water into a flush tank which need not be adjusted in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful ball cock for a flush tank wherein a float actuated member is connected directly to the valve without intervening linkage.

According to the present invention, a single upstanding member is provided in a flush tank to serve the dual function of a water inlet pipe and a down spout. This is accomplished by providing the upstanding member with a first passageway serving as a water inlet conduit and a parallel passageway serving as a down spout. A notch is cut into the base of the upstanding member at the discharge end of the down spout so that incoming water will discharge therefrom adjacent the bottom wall of the flush tank. The discharge end of the water inlet passageway and the inlet end of the down spout are located closely adjacent each other at the upper end of the upstanding member.

The upper end of the upstanding member is externally threaded and is provided with an annular groove or recess above the threads. The discharge end of the inlet passageway is provided with an annular valve seat extending somewhat above the inlet end of the down spout.

A resilient, flexible diaphragm having an encompassing side wall, a closed top wall and an open bottom encompasses the upper end of the upstanding member. The diaphragm also includes an inturned flange at its open bottom which seats in the annular recess at the upper end of the upstanding member. A cylindrical cap having internal threads which engage the external threads on the upper end of the upstanding member may be threaded thereon to maintain the diaphragm in sealed relation with the periphery of the upper end of the upstanding member and the annular recess. A float-actuated plunger is mounted in the top wall of the cylindrical cap in alignment with the annular seat on the water inlet passageway. The plunger is adapted to engage the closed top wall of the diaphragm and seat it on the valve seat when the water tank is full. As the water level drops in the flush tank, the plunger rises to unseat the diaphragm permitting water to flow from the outlet end of the water inlet passageway into the inlet end of the down spout through a chamber formed by the annular upper surface of the upstanding member and the diaphragm.

The plunger which actuates the diaphragm is somewhat L-shaped so that it can be pivotally mounted on the cap portion and be connected directly to a float rod which carries a conventional float. Thus, there is no linkage between the float rod and the valve seating member.

An internally threaded passageway is provided in the upstanding member between the inlet end and the discharge end of the down spout in fluid communication therewith so that water can be bled from the down spout and conveyed through flexible tubing into the overflow pipe on the water tank. Thus, each time the toilet is flushed, a by-passed portion of incoming water will flow into the overflow to replenish the level of water in the toilet bowl should the level be lowered by vacuum during the flushing operation.

While there are a number of materials out of which the water flow control device of the present invention may be made, plastic lends itself readily to the device because of its anti-corrosion characteristics and the ease of forming the passageways and the like therein.

In a preferred and modified form of the invention the construction is similar, but additionally there is provided an anti-siphon air gap which prevents water from being siphoned back out of the flush tank in the event of the occurrence of a low pressure in the inlet water line. The construction of the modified form of this invention is similar; however, in this modified construction, in addition to the flexible diaphragm which closes the annular valve seat, a second diaphragm is provided, this diaphragm having a central aperture positioned around the annular valve seat. This diaphragm has an aperture or opening providing communication from the annular valve seat opening to the down spout or pipe. It however, cooperates with other openings in the unitary structure which provide for communication of air to the area around the annular valve seat and the down spout. When the first diaphragm is in a position closing the annular valve seat, the second diaphragm is in a position exposing the said openings to allow access of air to the area around the annular valve seat and the down spout so that any possible siphon is broken and water cannot be siphoned up through the down spout and then back to the inlet pipe. On the other hand, when the first diaphragm disengages from the annular valve seat, the pressure of the incoming water seats the second diaphragm down against the said openings to permit the in-fiow through the annular valve seat opening and through the opening in the second diaphragm to the down spout. A further object of the invention is to provide the said preferred modified form with a second diaphragm means providing the anti-siphon.

A further, more specific object of the invention, is to provide the particular valve construction using the second diaphragm and providing the anti-siphon air gap.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the water flow control device of the present invention in position in a water closet flush tank in association with related parts, the wall of the flush tank being shown partially broken away to show internal construction;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the upper end of the water control device of FIGURE 1 showing its valve in an unseated conditon;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 3 taken at right angles thereto and showing the valve in a seated condition;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional "view of a modified and preferred form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the upper part of FIGURE 6 showing the valve in open position;

FIGURE 9 is another sectional view of the upper part of FIGURE 6 showing the valve in closed position; and

FIGUURE 10 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 1010 of FIGURE 7.

Referring again to the drawings, the water flow control device constituting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10, is shown mounted in a water closet flush tank 12 (FIGURE 1). The water closet flush tank 12 includes a closed bottom wall 14, an encompassing upstanding side wall 16 and a removable cover 18. The tank 12 is mounted on a toilet bowl 20 and supplies water therto through an outlet member 22 mounted in the bottom wall 14 in fluid communication with the toilet bowl 20. Flow of water 24 from the tank 12 through the outlet member 22 is controlled by a flush valve 26 which is normally seated and which may be unseated by actuating a handle 28 extending through the side wall 16. When the handle 28 is actuated, it swings a lever 30 which pulls a chain 32 upwardly to unseat the valve 26. An upstanding overflow pipe 34 has a water inlet 36 at its upper end which is positioned above the level of water 24. The pipe 34 includes a water outlet end 38 which is connected to the outlet member 22 in fluid communication therewith so that water inlet end 36 will be discharged into the toilet bowl 20.

The water flow control device 10 controls the incoming flow of water to the tank 12 and automatically refills the tank 12 each time it is emptied by unseating valve 26. The flow control device 10 includes an upstanding member 40 which may be in any suitable shape such as, for example cylindrical. The upstanding member 40 includes a lower, externally threaded end 42 of reduced diameter forming an annular shoulder 44 on the upstanding member 40. The externally threaded end 42 may be inserted through a suit-able aperture provided in the bottom wall 14 of flush tank 12 in such a manner that the shoulder 44 seats on the bottom wall 14 to support the member 40 in an upstanding manner in the tank 12. A suitable source of water under pressure, not shown, may be connected to the externally threaded end 42 to supply water under pressure to the member 40.

(The member 40 also includes an upper end 46 which is provided with external threads 48 and an annular groove 50. The upper surface 52 of upper end 46 may be milled away in such a manner that a raised annular valve seat 54 is provided thereon. A first passageway 56 is provided in the member 40 and extends from the end 42 to the valve seat 54 forming a water inlet conduit having an inlet port 56 provided in the externally threaded end 42 and an outlet port 58 provided by the valve sea-t 54.

(The upstanding member 40 is also provided with a. second passageway '60 forming a down spout therein. The passageway 60 extends from the upper surface 52 downwardly to a notch 62 which is provided in the member 40 superjacent the annular shoulder 44 in such amanner that a shelf 64 is formed therewith. The passageway 60 includes an outlet port 66 positioned slightly above the shelf 64 so that water discharging from the outlet port '66 will flow smoothly over the shelf 64 onto the bottom wall 14 of tank 12 with a minimum amount of noise and splashing. The passageway 60 also includes an inlet port 68 which is positioned on the upper surface 52 adjacent the valve seat 54. A chamber 79 is formed at the upper end 46 of member 40 by the annular surface 52 and a flexible, resilient diaphragm 72. The diaphragm 72 includes an encompassing side wall 74, a closed top wall 76 and an open bottom 78. An inturn'ed flange is provided in the open bottom 78 and is adapted to seat the annular recess 50 when the diaphragm 72 is inserted over the upper end 46 of member 40. The encompassing side wall 74 and the flange 80 are maintained in water-tight relationship with the periphery of the upper end 46 by an internally threaded cap member 82 which encomasses the diaphragm 72 and threadedly engages the external threads 48. Thus, when water under pressure flows up passageway 56, as shown by the arrows 83 in FIG- URE 3, it discharges into the chamber 70 from which it flows through the inlet port 68 and down the passageway or down spout 60, as indicated by the arrows 84. The side wall 74 and flange 80 of diaphragm 72 form an eflective seal about the entire periphery of the upper end 46 of member 40 so that water cannot spray into the tank 12 from the upper end 46. The upper wall 76 of diaphragm 72 serves as a valve to effectively interrupt the flow of water through the passageway 56 by seating on valve seat 54. Seating and unseating of the upper 'wall 76 is controlled by the level of water 24 in tank 12 through a float 8 6, a float rod 88 and a rockable member 90. The member 90 is somewhat L-shaped and includes a leg 92 which is provided with an internally threaded bore 94 to threadedly receive the externally threaded end 96 of the float rod 88. The leg 92 is provided with a slot 100 which is engageable with an upstanding boss 102 provided on the top wall 104 of cap 82. The member 90 may be pivotally connected to the boss 102 by a suitable pin or cotter key 105 which passes through a pair of apertures 106 provided in the leg 92 and an aperture 108 provided in the boss 102.

The member 90 also includes a depending plunger portion 110 which extends through a suitable opening 112, provided in the top wall 104, into engagement with the top wall 76 of diaphragm 72 super-jacent to and in alignment with the valve seat 54. Thus, when the member 90 is rocketed in one direction upon boss 102, the depending plunger portion 110 will seat the upper wall 76 on valve seat 54 interrupting the flow of vvater through the outlet 58. When the member 90 is rocketed in the other direction, the plunger 110 rises permitting the wall 76 to unseat. The rockable member 90 is rocked in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 5, when the float 86 follows the level of the water 24 as it drops in tank 12. This reciprocates the depending plunger 1 upwardly permitting the pressure of incoming water to unseat the upper wall 7 6 so that water flows into the chamber 70. The water then flows down through the passageway '60 to discharge into the tank 12 adjacent the bottom wall 14.

As the water level approaches a predetermined elevation in tank 12, the float 86 rises transmitting a force through float rod 88 to swing the rockable member 90 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 5, reciprocating the plunger 110 downwardly forcing top wall 76 to seat on valve seat 54 interrupting the flow of water through the outlet port 58. The diameter of the plunger 1'10 exceeds the diameter of the valve seat 54 thereby minimizing the force required to seat and unseat the top wall 76. It is to be noted that the seatin and unseating of the top wall 76 is accomplished by the rockable member 90 without employing intervening linkage susceptible to wear which would require compensating adjustments to the made to insure uniform continuous seating of a ball cock. The water level in tank 12 can be controlled merely by bending the float rod 88 to change the relative elevation of the float 86.

An internally threaded passageway 120 is provided in the upstanding member '40 intermediate the ends of passageway 60 in fluid communication therewith. A fitting 122 having an externally threaded end 1'24 threadedly engages the passageway 120. A flexible conduit 126 is connected to the fitting 122 and is inserted into the inlet 3'6 of overflow pipe 34. The conduit 126 constitutes an antisiphon device which prevents water in tank 12 from being siphoned up passageway 60 into the incoming Water line should the pressure therein drop. The upper wall 76 of diaphragm 72 also acts as an anti-siphon device preventing such siphoning when it is seated.

FIGURES 6 to 10 show a modified and preferred form of the invention which is similar in construction, but which provides the air gap anti-spihon device. The device has an upright construction as shown in FIGURE 6. It may 'be made of plastic or other suitable materials. -It is conflgurated to provide an inlet flow pipe or tube 40' having a bore 56. At the lower part of this tube is an enlarged flange portion 44' and below that is a threaded nipple 42'. The device may be mounted in the flush tank as illustrated in FIGURE 1. A down spout 60 is integrally provided in the upright device having an opening 130 at its upper end. The down spout '60 has an outlet orifice 66' adjacent the notch 62 in the upright over an extending portion '64 forming a shelf. This construction is similar to that of the previous embodiment. This upright structure has a side arm or nipple '13-1 connecting to the down spout 60 to which a tube or flexible conduit 1 26 may be connected similar to that of the previous embodiment.

The upright structure in the preferred form has a circu lar enlargement at the upper end designated generally by the numeral 135. This structure has an extending flange 136 which is threaded to receive a cap 137. This part may also be made of plastic. The cap 137 tapers upwardly as shown. At the top of the cap is an integral configuration as designated at 140 forming an open ended slot which re ceives a float operated lever member 141 having an extending part 142 which may carry the float. The end of this member fits into the slot formed by the structure 140. The part 140 has a cross section as shown in FIGURE 8. The side portions of the structure 140 have inwardly extending integral trunnions 144 receivable in sockets in the lever part 141 for pivotally mounting it. The part 141 has a downwardly extending abutment member 146 which extends through an opening 147 in the top of the cap 137.

The circular structure 135 has a cross section as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 having an upwardly extending annular flange 150 and an annular groove 151. It is configurated also to provide a plurality of equal angularly spaced bores 152 arranged in a circle as shown. The valve diaphragm of this form of the invention is designated at 155. It is configurated to be depressed inwardly at the top as designated at 156 in FIGURE 8. It has a downwardly extending skirt 157 with an inwardly directed flange 160 which extends into the annular groove 151 in the structure 135 so that the parts can be assembled as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. The diaphragm 155 is sufliciently flexible so that it can be manually fitted on to the structure 135. At the upper end of the inlet flow tube 40 there is a portion of smaller diameter as designated at 162 having an inlet port 163. The upper end of the part 162 of smaller diameter is bevelled as shown at 164 forming a valve seat cooperating with the central part of diaphragm 155.

Within the flange 150 is a second diaphragm 165 having a central opening 166 positioned around the valve seat member 162. The diaphragm 165 rests within the flange 150 and cooperates with the bores 152. Diaphragm 165 has an opening 170 in it with an integral rim or flange 171 around this opening. On opposite sides of the opening are two small orifices 173 and 174. See FIGURE 7. The down spout or tube 60' which is of course integral with the top structure 135, has two upwardly extending guide pins as shown at 176 and 177 in FIGURE 10 which cooperate with the apertures 173 and 174 when the diaphragm 165 moves downwardly as will be described. The diaphragm 155 is operated by the abutment 146 that is actuated by the float lever 141 similar to the previous embodiment. That is, when the float rises the abutment 146 moves down moving diaphragm 155 from the position of FIGURE 8 to that of FIGURE 9 to engage with the valve seat member 164 and close the valve to prevent the inlet of any further water. When the float is down and abutment 146 is raised, the diaphragm 155 is in the position shown in FIGURE 8, that is uncovering the valve seat 164 and allowing water to enter as shown in FIG- URE 8. In this position water can go through the opening 170 in diaphragm 165 and into the down spout 60'. In this position of the parts, the pressure of the water coming in through the valve seat 164 forces the diaphragm 165 down so that this diaphragm closes off all of the ports or bores 152. This prevents air from entering through these bores or ports. On the other hand, when the parts are in the position shown in FIGURE 9 with the float down, and valve 164 closed, the ports or bores 152 are open allowing air to communicate to the area around the member 162 of smaller diameter and underneath the diaphragm 155. These openings provide an air gap to provide an anti-siphoning function. That is, if the pressure should drop low enough in the inlet flow pipe 40 to suck water back out of the flush tank, that is to siphon it out, such siphoning would be prevented inasmuch as there is now an air gap as between the inlet flow tube 40' and the outlet flow tube 60. Accordingly, the water could not be sucked or siphoned back out of the flush tank.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will observe that the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 to 10 provides a very simplified, but effective construction which in a very unique way makes possible the antisiphoning function. The parts are simple plastic parts and can be readily assembled and disassembled by hand without the use of tools. The diaphragms are of simple configuration and are very easy and economical to produce, fabricate, assemble and maintain.

While the particular water flow control devices herein shown and described in detail are fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A float-actuated flow control device comprising: a head member having an outer periphery and an upper face; inlet and outlet ports in said upper face in side-byside spaced relation; a flexible diaphragm of inverted cup shape having its side wall embracing said outer periphery and its upper wall overlying said upper face; a substantially rigid inverted cup shaped cap having its side wall embracing said side wall of said diaphragm and clamping the same against said outer periphery, said cap side wall being secured to the outer periphery of said head member; the upper wall of said cap having an opening therethrough aligned with said inlet port; a floatactuated arm pivoted to the top of said cap upper wall and having a plunger portion extending downwardly through said opening for pressing said diaphragm over said inlet port and closing the same when said arm is pivotally swung in one direction; a circumferential groove in said outer periphery, said diaphragm side wall having an inwardly directed annular flanges lockingly engaged in said groove, said cap side wall extending downwardly past said annular flange.

2. A flow control device as defined in claim 1 wherein said head member is an integral upper end portion of an elongated support, inlet and outlet passageways extending through said support and communicating with said inlet and outlet ports, respectively, said inlet passageway terminating in an inlet fitting at the lower end of said support, and said outlet passageway terminating in a laterally directed discharge opening in a side of said support spaced upwardly from said lower end thereof.

3. A flow control device as defined in claim 1 including further openings in said upper face, communicating with the exterior of said head member; a second flexible diaphragm overlying said upper face below the upper wall of said cup shaped diaphragm; openings in said second diaphragm aligned with said inlet and outlet ports, said second diaphragm having imperforate portions adapted to flex into closing relation to said further openings.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,623,785 12/1952 Henchert 251335 2,869,571 1/1959 Price et al 137-45l 2,869,572 1/1952 Person 137-525 2,986,155 5/1961 Doyle l372l8 3,120,855 2/ 1964 Fischer 13745 1 3,135,287 6/1964 Kepka et al 137-4l4 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

DAVID R. MATTHEWS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 137-215; 25l46 

1. A FLOAT-ACTUATED FLOW CONTROL DEVICE COMPRISING: A HEAD MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER PERIPHERY AND AN UPPER FACE; INLET AND OUTLET PORTS IN SAID UPPER FACE IN SIDE-BYSIDE SPACED RELATION; A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM OF INVERTED CUP SHAPE HAVING ITS SIDE WALL EMBRACING SAID OUTER PERIPHERY AND ITS UPPER WALL OVERLYING SAID UPPER FACE; A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID INVERTED CUP SHAPED CAP HAVING ITS SIDE WALL EMBRACING SAID SIDE WALL OF SAID DIAPHRAGM AND CLAMPING THE SAME AGAINST SAID OUTER PERIPHERY, SAID CAP SIDE WALL BEING SECURED TO THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID HEAD MEMBER; THE UPPER WALL OF SAID CAP HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH ALIGNED WITH SAID INLET PORT; A FLOATACTUATED ARM PIVOTED TO THE TOP OF SAID CAP UPPER WALL AND HAVING A PLUNGER PORTION EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THROUGH SAID OPENING FOR PRESSING SAID DIAPHRAGM OVER SAID INLET PORT AND CLOSING THE SAME WHEN SAID ARM IS PIVOTALLY SWUNG IN ONE DIRECTION; A CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE IN SAID OUTER PERIPHERY, SAID DIAPHRAGM SIDE WALL HAVING AN INWARDLY DIRECTED ANNULAR FLANGES LOCKINGLY ENGAGED IN SAID GROOVE, SAID CAP SIDE WALL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY PAST SAID ANNULAR FLANGE. 